According to Dianna Russini, the Panthers have been showing strong interest in former Saints QB Teddy Bridgewater.
Russini says conversations between the two sides have gone well. Panthers OC Joe Brady previously worked with Bridgewater in New Orleans.
Ian Rapoport adds the Patriots are also showing interest in Bridgewater now that Tom Brady has made it clear he will move on this offseason.
With the news that the Panthers will allow incumbent QB Cam Newton to seek a trade, Carolina has entered the market for a new starting quarterback.
Bridgewater played himself into a chance at a starting position this year by going 5-0 in relief of Brees in 2019. He’s expected to have a “strong” free-agent market, with the Buccaneers among the teams reportedly interested. He was also reportedly receiving interest from the Bears yesterday.
Bridgewater, 27, is a former first-round pick of the Vikings back in 2014. He played out the final year of his four-year, $6,849,502 rookie contract after Minnesota declined to pick up his fifth-year option.
Bridgewater signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Jets last year that included just $500,000 guaranteed. However, the Jets later traded him to the Saints during the preseason and he returned to New Orleans last year on another one-year contract.
In 2019, Bridgewater appeared in nine games for the Saints and completed 67.8 percent of his passes for 1,384 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for 31 yards.
We have him included in our Top 100 – 2020 Free Agents list.
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